Cries of Redemption lets loose on massive genre-bending Rock album, “Abstract”
“Abstract” lives up to its name with unsettling confidence, unfolding like a late-night drive where you strictly want to let loose, rock out, and sing along once you learn the words. For Cries of Redemption, the long-running recording project helmed by Savannah-based songwriter and guitarist Ed Silva, this album is not about chasing trends or hooks. It’s about atmosphere, intention, and the slow burn of explosive instrumentation that packs the literal biggest punch.
From the first song “The Return”, the record establishes a moody feel that fuses heavy rock guitar work with electronic textures that hum and pulse. There’s a clear melodic sensibility anchoring the darkness, but the songs never rush toward easy resolutions. Instead, they linger, letting distorted guitars stretch while subtle electronic elements borrowed from trance, cinematic trap, and deep house subtly shape the emotional of the whole listen. It’s music designed to set a scene and that restraint becomes one of its many greatest strengths.
Silva’s guitar playing is the album’s standout for us by far, delivering riffs and leads that feel both muscular and expressive. His influences are evident, but never derivative for even a moment. There’s a sense of space in his playing, allowing notes to breathe and resonate rather than overwhelm. Though we’ll be honest, there’s some instrumental breakdowns that are legitimately spine tingling.
One of the most coolest aspects of “Abstract” is its use of multiple vocal perspectives. The inclusion of professional female session vocalists (Denisse Ferrara and Maria Duque) adds an otherworldly dimension, creating contrast across the album’s arc. Their performances feel spectral, often hovering just above the instrumentation like distant voices in the fog, though there’s plenty in the foreground too. Silva’s own vocals, refined through modern vocal modeling tools, sit comfortably alongside them, grounding the songs with a human presence that feels vulnerable rather than overproduced. The shifting vocal textures give the album a sense of unpredictability, making each track feel like a new chapter in the same unsettling story.
Production-wise, the album is exactly what you want from a record like this. Silva’s embrace of tools pays off in the mix that feels like you’re in the room with them or you could envision yourself seeing these songs played in an arena. Every element has its place, from the thick, distorted guitars to the absolutely huge drums that make their way in too. The sound design enhances the mood without ever becoming a distraction, reinforcing the album’s immersive quality.
It’s heavy without overkill, experimental without being alienating, and atmospheric in a way that invites repeat listens. Cries of Redemption have created a record that doesn’t just play in the background, it takes over your body! Go ahead and click those links below to listen loud, to follow along for more, and of course to stay tuned for everything else in the works.
Like what you read? Follow our social media and playlist for the latest in independent music:
